How long are diseases contagious if you are taking antibiotics?

My Dr diagnosed me with pneumonia, I've been on antibiotic (Zithromax for 5 days) for a little over 2 days. Am I still contagious? I still need to blow my nose and am coughing up mucus. Could you tell me your expertise? Thanks so much.

is MRSA contagious if sick person is taking antibiotics ?

Cindy, good question, thanks for asking!

It really depends on the infection or illness that you are talking about. Many things that a person would be on antibiotics for are not contagious -- ear infections, or sinus infections, etc.

And many things that are contagious are not something you'd take antibiotics for -- a cold, for instance, or chicken pox. Even if a doctor has prescribed you antibiotics for a secondary infection (like bronchitis, for instance) the cold is still contagious as long as you are sneezing and coughing (though it's most contagious in the first few days).

Usually, the a general guideline would be that a person is not contagious after 48 hours' worth of antibiotics. With strep throat, a general guideline is 24 hours.